Dr. Chi Yan, assistant professor of immunology, and his team launched foundational steps toward a Manitoba-based cutaneous tumour banking initiative for immunotherapy-refractory cancers in collaboration with Dr. Cha Len Lee from CancerCare Manitoba. Protocol development, consent drafting and ethics preparation are underway.
Farshid Ghiyamihoor, a PhD student in human anatomy and cell science, will be presenting at TEDx Winnipeg on May 28 on the Fort Garry Campus. His talk is titled ‘The Art of Brain Sculpting.’ More info
Can-SOLVE CKD has recently released its 2025 Impact Report. It’s a snapshot of the progress they’ve made — and continue to make — in implementation, knowledge mobilization and building national infrastructure and capacity for patient-oriented research in kidney health.
News from Dr. Meghan Azad’s THRiVE Discovery Lab
Dr. Meghan Azad, professor of pediatrics and child health, and Canada Research Chair in early nutrition and the developmental origins of health and disease, was featured in a recent UM Today article highlighting her role in helping to reinstate public funding for lactation consultants in Manitoba. The service, which was cut in 2018, has now been permanently restored following widespread advocacy supported by evidence-based research. Read more
Dr. Azad was featured on the Canadian Institutes of Health Research website in their highlight of the Canadian Healthy Infant Longitudinal Development (CHILD) Cohort Study. Read more
Upcoming faculty development workshops hosted by the Office of Innovation and Scholarship in Medical Education
- The Clinical Learner in Difficulty: Practical Strategies for the Clinical Preceptor on March 17 from 1:00-2:30 p.m. – Register
- Close Reading: Building Narrative Competence to Improve Patient Care on April 13 from 1:00-2:30 p.m. – Register
Department of medical microbiology and infectious diseases news
The department of medical microbiology and infectious diseases (MMID) was highlighted in a recent UM Today article covering the visit from Sex Worker Outreach Program (SWOP) leaders and Dr. Joshua Kimani from the Partnership for Health and Development in Africa. Their discussions focused on sustaining HIV care in Kenya in the wake of U.S. funding cuts, with continued support from UM. Read article
MMID master of science student, Cara Follows, and the Fowke and Lajoie labs raised almost $5,000 for essential HIV prevention supplies for SWOP in Kenya. The recent withdrawal of funding from the United States has created a gap in life-saving supplies that people rely on through SWOP. Donations can be made any time.
Dr. Julie Lajoie, assistant professor of MMID and Francis A. Plummer Professorship in Global Infectious Diseases, was featured by La Liberté in recognition of her impactful HIV research and her commitment to making science accessible to diverse communities. Read article
Dr. Zulma Rueda, associate professor of MMID and Canada Research Chair in sexually transmitted infection – resistance and control, appeared in a CTV News segment discussing efforts to combat HIV‑related stigma in Manitoba, highlighting the importance of community engagement and culturally informed approaches. View video
Dr. Yoav Keynan, professor of internal medicine and medical microbiology and infectious diseases, was featured in a recent UM Today article about a UM‑led project that will train people with lived experience across the Prairies to partner with researchers on developing clinical trials focused on HIV and sexually transmitted and bloodborne infections. This initiative aims to strengthen patient‑centred research and improve service delivery. Read article
Adam Hedley successfully defended his master of science thesis on December 9, 2025. MMID thanks his committee of mentors, Dr. Derek Stein (advisor) and Dr. Lyle McKinnon (co‑advisor), as well as Drs. Souradet Shaw and Jared Bullard for their guidance, and Dr. Xiao‑Jian Yao for expertly chairing the examination.
Samuel Lawal successfully defended his master of science thesis on December 11, 2025. MMID thanks his committee of mentors, Drs. Natalie Knox, Lyle McKinnon, and George Zhanel, as well as Dr. Zulma Rueda for expertly chairing the examination. We join in congratulating Samuel on an excellent defense and wish him well in his new position in Calgary.
Genevieve Loiselle successfully defended her master of science thesis on December 8, 2025. MMID thanks her committee of mentors, Dr. Denice Bay (advisor) and Drs. Ayush Kumar and George Zhanel, as well as Dr. Lyle McKinnon for expertly chairing the examination.
Peter O’Reilly successfully defended his master of science thesis on December 5, 2025. MMID thanks his committee of mentors, Dr. Denice Bay (advisor) and Drs. George Zhanel, David Alexander, and Frank Schweizer, as well as Dr. Xiao‑Jian Yao for expertly chairing the examination.
Erin Robert successfully defended her master of science thesis on December 19, 2025. MMID thanks her committee of mentors, Dr. Aruna Ambagala (advisor) and Dr. Jason Kindrachuk (co‑advisor), as well as Drs. Shawn Babiuk and Darwyn Kobasa for serving on her examining committee and Dr. Denice Bay for expertly chairing the examination.
Brayden Schindell successfully defended his PhD thesis on November 21, 2025. MMID thanks his committee of mentors, Dr. Jason Kindrachuk (advisor), and Drs. Brian Mark, Kevin Coombs, and Stephanie Booth, as well as Dr. Oluwabukola Salami for serving as external examiner and Dr. Rene Zahedi for expertly chairing the examination.